US Trade Representative Cautions Against Removing Trump-Era Tariffs on Chinese Imports

U.S. Trade Representative Ambassador Katherine Tai speaks to members of the media following a tour of a silicon wafer plant being expanded by South Korean semiconductor manufacturer SK Siltron CSS, in Bay City, Michigan, on March 16, 2022. Rebecca Cook/Reuters

U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai told the U.S. Senate on Wednesday that “the China tariffs are a significant piece of leverage,” while President Joe Biden is considering lifting some tariffs on Chinese goods to fight inflation.

The Trump administration imposed up to 25 percent tariffs on Chinese imports in 2018 and 2019, since an investigation concluded the Chinese regime engaged in excessive government subsidies, intellectual property theft, and other unfair trade practices.